There has been so much going on in my life lately that I have had to take a step back and really look at what I have in my life. Beyond all else I am blessed with a beautiful daughter who I want to mold into an incredible woman. When I think about the kind of woman I want her to turn out to be, I think of the amazing people I have in my life. Things haven't always been easy for me but there have always been genuine people there to remind me of the beauty of the world. These people are the examples I want my daughter to see because they teach me how to be a better person every day.
1)Afton Brown- I met Afton sophomore year of high school in our World History class. She was a transfer student from our rival Palo Verde and I hated her. By track season though I got to know her and a beautiful friendship arose. This woman is one of the most intelligent, beautiful, kindhearted people I know. I see her as a sister and she sees me that way. Afton is the kind of girl who always makes me smile and gets me in a way so many other people don't. She never judges and sticks with me through thick and thin. It doesn't matter that she's a fancy Air Force pilot, traversing the world, she's still always there for me, even if it's finding a computer in a remote location to say happy birthday and that she loves me. She is the perfect role model for my daughter and myself. Afton is the kind of woman that all woman should strive to be, and one who I am so lucky to call a genuine friend.
2)Jen Swanson- Jen is one of those people that I met at work who is who she is and doesn't give in to the bullshit. Like me, Jen believes the rules should be followed because it isn't personal, it's work. I've watched how Jen goes to great lengths for people who don't deserve it. She just has the most open and true heart. Jen and I started out as coworkers but I'm so lucky to call her a friend. She was so supportive of me during my pregnancy and was the only one who kept up with me during my maternity leave and even was at the hospital for the birth of my daughter. Jen is the kind of girl who makes me so happy I work in the industry because if I didn't, we would never have met.
3)Karen Gillespie- Karen was my first friend in high school. A bigger nerd than me who made school so great. This girl joined track with me and even moved to the distance team with me when Coach Miller decided I should be doing distance, not sprints. She was the only friend who I visited in college and the only friend who visited me. Karen is classy and probably one of the smartest girls I know. Her and I even had a falling out because of my spacey, procrastinating nature, but we moved forward and I still hold her close to my heart. She's the type of girl who is reserved but so vibrant. She's the type of girl who read my last post and texted me right away to be long-distance workout buddies. Distance separates us, but I know I can always call her my friend.
4)Hillary McAdam- Hills and I met at Willamette and didn't even talk our first semester there. It was when I went back second semester that we realized how well we get along and before I knew it, we were joined at the hip. We tried living together at UNLV and it almost destroyed our friendship, but in the end we made up because that's what happens when someone is a soul sister to you. She is sarcastic and hilarious and another smarty pants. She's the kind of girl who got me a job in her family's company and who looks at me as family and would do anything for me whether it's put me on her phone line or help take care of me if I was a single mom. She was the first person who purchased the it works products I sell (check them out at krissyanne.myitworks.com) and the first person to refer a friend to me. She was the first friend I told I was pregnant and the girl I planned the date of my baby shower around so that she could be in town for it. I can't wait to be one of her bridesmaids and help plan her wedding (well I most excited for the bachelorette party lol). I hate that she lives up north, but I love her so much and can't wait for her to visit (hopefully soon).
5)Ashley Fricker- Ashley and I became friends when she stepped up and was there for me when I got sick in high school. It pains me that we weren't close before that because I missed out on years of her in my life. Ashley is the coolest girl, she's an animal lover after my own heart, and a teacher every parent wants for their children. A highly intelligent, totally down to Earth person that actually listens when you speak to her and always wants to see the best for everyone around her. I know if I ever needed anything that she would do whatever she could to help me.
6)Hilary Bee- Hilary is another girl I met through the industry. We worked together briefly in Mississippi before Chef Wes got divorced and shut down the restaurant. She was taking a break from school at the time, but also graduated with a degree in English from Ole Miss. She cracks me up with her blatantly honest self and I know I can talk to this girl about anything. I mean she's my go-to girl when I'm shopping alone, I know I can send her a text and get a sound opinion on whether or not to buy something. We can talk about boys and books and writing and everything in between in one text conversation. One day we will be topping the best sellers lists together!
7)Rodrigo Chavez- My babydoll! The first thing Rod ever said to me was, "I like you hair, let's be best friends!" Mind you he was drunk at an Ole Miss game, but we did become so close and he is one of my favorite people. Another one who I got into a major fight with but worked it out and have been great since. Rod is the type of guy who babysits your pets and surprises you with a Taylor Lautner poster in your bedroom. He is the kid of guy that everybody likes. It's impossible not to, he has an infectious smile and is so much fun. Ole Miss would have not been nearly as great without him there. He's the guy I want as Kiera's godfather (if I ever actually make it to church and the baptism classes). I know he always has my back and I know we will have many more amazing memories in the future.
8)Dustin Milewski- Another amazing guy friend. We met at Ole Miss and one drunken night walking in the woods (because that is what you do in Mississippi) we decided he needed to move to NYC with me when school ended and we graduated. I am so happy that he did because we had so many great adventures. Dustin isn't afraid to be himself and I love that confidence about him. He is so passionate about things in his life and it makes you passionate about them too. I know we will be friends forever because we made it through a year living in the smallest apartment ever and somehow survived.
9)My former teammates (especially Jeanette, Laura, and Melissa)- These girls have kept in touch with me no matter where I moved and no matter what I was doing with my life. We've celebrated milestones in each others lives and watched each other grow up into women. High school wouldn't have been the same without them. We were the nerds who threw pasta dinners and laughed our butts off and ran crazy workouts because we loved it. They were all top of their classes and we all helped each other succeed. When I feel like I am losing myself it takes one lunch with these girls to remind me of who I am at the core and who I want to be. They bring out the best in me because they are all amazing women with sincere hearts. From moms to teachers to fbi agents, the girls I ran with in high school are changing the world for the better. I am so lucky to know them and even luckier to call them friends still.
These are just a few of the people who I would consider genuine, for life friends. Unfortunately the majority of them don't live in Vegas and it really sucks. They are all smart and wonderful and fun people who brighten my life. There are so many more that I just don't have time to write about. You know who you are and you know I adore you. So thank you to all my friends who get me and make me a better person. Love you all!
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